For some stretches this preseason, New Orleans Hornets small forward Al-Farouq Aminu has hustled into the passing lanes for steals and come off screens to make jump shots. But there also have been stretches where he’s appeared tentative to take the ball inside or get back in transition to contest shots.

With the preseason at the halfway point, Aminu is still trying to overcome his underachieving tendencies.

While New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams continues to wait, he said the starting small forward spot remains up for grabs with four games remaining before the regular-season opener Oct .31 against the San Antonio Spurs.

"We would like for Chief (Aminu) to take that position and say it’s mine,’’ Williams said. "We’ve got some games left to see if he can do that. Al Farouq is a guy that should know more about that position for us because he’s been in the system for a little bit. But nobody has really stepped out and dominated the competition just yet. But Darius has shown a lot of signs that he can knock down a shot and make plays off the dribble.’’

Williams said the Hornets are also experimenting with a big lineup in the preseason that involves Davis playing limited minutes at small forward.

In last week’s game against the Bobcats at the New Orleans Arena, Davis, who is projected to start at power forward, was defending along the wing as a small forward for a brief stretch in the second half.

It was anticipated before the preseason began that backup power forward Ryan Anderson would shift to small forward because of his ability to extend defenses with his 3-point shooting. But Williams said he likes Anderson better at power forward.

"The more I watch those guys play, Anthony has that skill set where he can play the wing a little bit,’’ Williams said. "Ryan (Anderson) is really good at playing the four and learning those sets should be easier for him. But we don’t know, it’s still a work in progress.’’

"That's just how the game goes, the ball swings your way sometimes,’’ Aminu said. "But it’s not like one person has to carry the team every night. I feel like we all have to be accountable. Even Coach says like he coaches everybody like he’s the go-to player. So just that night the ball ended up in my hands a couple of more times than the other person.’’

In the preseason opener against the Orlando Magic, Aminu took only three shots and scored three points. He followed that game with a 12-point performance in the preseason home opener against the Charlotte Bobcats. But during last week’s rematch game against the Bobcats, Aminu slipped back to his inconsistent ways, missing six of eight shots, scoring seven points.

Going into Thursday’s road game against the Atlanta Hawks, Aminu is averaging 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. But he has turned the ball over 10 times, which ranks as the second highest on the team behind Greivis Vasquez’s 14.

"I’m always working on my game," Aminu said."I’m trying to be consistent with my effort and efficiency.’’

Before training camp opened earlier this month, Williams said he expected Aminu to be a major contributor this season after he struggled trying to pick up his system last season. Aminu showed flashes of his athleticism but for the most part he was inconsistent after the Hornets acquired him, along with Eric Gordon and former Hornets center Chris Kaman in exchange for point guard Chris Paul last December.

"I was just trying to fill everything out,’’ said Aminu."But starting with this preseason, I’m trying to see where I fit in with the team and where I can make my mark.’’